29 November 2021, 16:52 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The Spanish LaLiga fixture, Real Madrid C.F. vs. Athletic Club, kicks off at 21:00 (GMT+1) on Wednesday, December 1, at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
Preview Real Madrid La Liga, Dec 1, 2021
Preview Real Madrid picked up three points in the win over Sevilla at the weekend, extending their lead at the top of the LaLiga table to four points. Madrid started on the back foot, leaving Sevilla to take the lead inside the first fifteen minutes through Rafa Mir (12’). Left unmarked, Mir’s delicate header, off a corner kick, found the bottom corner. Minutes later, Sevilla were looking to double their lead as Ocampos crashed the ball into the crossbar after a vicious effort from the edge of the box. Twenty minutes after Mir struck, Karim Benzema (32') tucked away the rebound off an error from the Sevilla goalkeeper. Parity remained until the final minutes when a remarkable moment of quality separated both sides. Red-hot Vinicius Jnr. (86’) had maneuvered his way around an opposing red shirt before dropping the shoulder on another for the right-footed shot aimed at the far end of goal. 2-1! It finished in Madrid’s favor. Unbeaten and with four consecutive victories, DWWWW, Los Blancos have 33 points after 10W, 3D, & 1L. With this outstanding game, Madrid could extend their lead at the top of the table to six points before the upcoming weekend. On Sunday, we saw the 4—3—3 formation with Benzema, Vinicius Jnr., and Asensio in attack against Sevilla. A similar shape, with the right-wing open for contention is expected from Carlo Ancelotti in this mid-week game. Madrid has no new injury worries.
Preview Athletic Club La Liga, Dec 1, 2021
Preview Athletic Club picked up a 2-2 draw against Granada on Friday when both sides met at the San Mamés Barria. A goal from Raúl García (10’), coupled with an own goal from the goalkeeper, Luís Maximiano (76’ O.G.) saw the Bilbao-based side pick up a single point. Athletic Club have 20 points after 4W, 8D & 2L, and remain without a win in five games: DDLDD. A win appears to be a tall order, but on Wednesday, Marcelino will do everything possible to ensure his side picks up a point when they clash with Real Madrid. The 56-year-old could opt for the 4—4—2 formation once again with Oihan Sancet and Raúl García in attack, while Iñaki Williams is expected to make another off-the-bench appearance. Iñaki remains the club's top scorer this season, with just three goals after 14 LaLiga appearances. Íñigo Martinez is suspended, while Asier Villalibre remains doubtful for this mid-week fixture against Madrid.